Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-20

sofa, and listen dellghtedly to her lover and
her friend as they rendered soft Italian or
Spanish airs. Foolish, unsuspicious Doloresi
She could not see the upward, languishing
chances from those bewildering eyes, or note
the white fingers accidentally touch her
lovers hands.
Hilary was an early riser, and was won't to
take a stroll along the cliffs before breakfast
Vivien noted it, and often met him with hen
hands full of flowers and look of astonish
ment in her face. Then followed a half hours
conversation, often touching upon dangerous
themes.
How blessed ann said he a have the
dearest sweetheart in the world, and the love
lest woman for friend
She looked at bun with her beautiful eyes
dim with tears, and replied softly: But you
cannot think what 1t costs me to be your
friend" Then she laid her hand on his arm
deprecatingly, and with bushes said:
Forgive me; spoke unguardelly'
After that Hilary manner seemed changed;
there was restlessncss and thoughtfulness
foreign to him. Perhaps, if he could have
shaken off the enchanting wizards" spell,
could have roused to state of activity, he
might have broken tho charm being cast over
him And it seemed as if Dolores eyes were
stricken blind, for in the innocence of her
heart and her unbounded trust she saw and
thought of nothing but devotion to herself
on the part OF her lover and fidelity on the
part of her friend.
''Oh, you two may go and practice your
new duct. must stay with dear godmother,
who has headache" said Dolores one even
ing The two went willingly enough, but,
after singing few songs, Vivien said
Singing of moonht waters makes one long
for them; cannot We have a row before
Dolores comes DOWN. And they stepped
from the low window to the lawn. and went
down the cliff path to the boat house. They
rowed far up the bay, then drifted slowly
back, listening to the far-off sounds of
guitar and the refrain ola love song in rich
tenor voice. The perfume of late roses came
from the shore, and here was Vivien, with
her beguiling eyes, talking in u sweet, low
voice:
'You ask me why cannoa be your friend.
and it is a cruel question Do you ask it TO
torture me: 1t is for this reason:
"We are friends;
And here the music ends
And she covered her face with her hands as
if with shame at her avowal Hilary bent
forward and gently took them away, saying;
But the music need not end there, Vivienr
and with tender pleading he bent forward,
claSping her to his heart for moment. rain
ing kisses upon her lips Then he resumed
the oars and destiny, watchful ever, guided
the boat close to the shore, among the lily
pads.
Dolores left Mrs. Glentworth fast asleep,
and. failing to find her friend and lover In
the house, went to meet them. Perhaps they
had gone for water lilies, SO she went through
the garden, picking flowers as she passed and
singing snatches of a Spanish serenade The
moonlight fell careSsingly on her sweet, up
turned face, the night breezes softly waved
her dark hair and she went down the cliff
paths, leaving behind her the scent of flowers
and fragments of song.
And there were the lilies folded and gleam-
ing white on their emerald couchesi She took
a branch from Il little tree 10 reach them
with, and stepped on a partially submerged
log. She had secured a handful and was
reaching for more when the boat that was
slowly drifting down the bay passed by the
hly-blooming inlet; the moon shone full in
the faces of the occupants, and Dolores saw
the heart-clasp and the kisses, L dazed her
for moment that heart-claSp had III it an
arrow that penetrated hers. She attempted
to retrace her footsteps, but, weak and be-
wildcrcd, she slipped and the hly-pads re-
ceived and held her Some fishermen, re-
turning late, saw her fail FASTENED to the
rescue, and carried her up the same path by
which she came. The moon yet shone down
caressingly, but on a still white face and lips
whence all song had departed
The drawing room was filled with hurry
ing figures, pale and scared faces, and cries
of lament, all attempts to resuscifate the in
animate form had been in vain Tho hastily
summoned physicians were standing over her
when Hilary and Vivien came IN: and on the
delicate carpet there were pools of water tina.
had dripped from her clothing and hair.
Vivien uttered q cry OF horror: Hilary reeled
and would have fallen, hut caught at chair
for support Recovering his self-possessioI,
he questioned the fishermen
"As near as | ken tell We. sir. twas this
way: Me an my pardner, "a comm ono late,
'appened along Jest as this ere innocent was
a reaehin fur flowers We was tother side
o the inle, an seed white fgger on the
boat wi two IL ii came By. an she lookf'
81 that, lost 'cI foot old an fell We run to
get 'er ont But she wur dead then. poor
lamb. Lord ha' mercy on 'er soul" and the
honest fisherman wiped his ewes
rs there no life, no hope Hilary asked
physician
There is no life and no hope"
Hilary buried his face in his hand and
groaned aloud. N1vicn camc 10 his side,
clasped her hands around his arm, and looked
at him beseechinSly; but he shook her off as
If she had been viper and left the room.
The long night was spent in agonized self
upbraidings, and, when Mrs. Gentworth
went to summon him in the morning, the
gay, debOnair youth had chan .yed TO a sor-
rowful, remorse- stricken man
Hours after, passing from the room where
Dolores lay IL woful state, and where bo
had been pouring forth passionate PRAYER
for forgiveness over the still, pale form, no
found Nivien crouching In the hall She ap-
preached him with q cares irig gesture, but
he motioned her away
sand is all over between III :" she asked
Would to God there bad hten nothing be-
tween US. have been faithless, and my p In
ishment is greater than can bear Forget
that you have ever known me
There was peaceful nook where the dead
and gone GlentwOrths were hurried, ald
Dolores was laid beside them. Destiny sto ID
grim and firm by the coffin lid. sobbing with
mock grief and, having PLAYED out the Ilav,
went to arraupa other ss,e,lp. and Arfor-s